Dewhurst’s new web video targets Obama

In a new video by the David Dewhurst for Senate campaign, the Texas lieutenant governor slams Washington and the Obama administration for spending money the federal government doesn’t have.

“Spending is out of control,” Dewhurst says in the video. “Washington is spending money we don’t have on programs we don’t need.”

The message is in line with Republican sentiments in Washington at a time when most conservatives rally around messages against the president’s plan to spend the country out of recession.

But if Dewhurst is running for Texas Senate, why is he ignoring potential rivals here at home?

According to Dewhurst’s rivals within the Republican Party, the lieutenant governor has avoided debates with candidates vying for the Republican nomination, including former Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert and former Solicitor General Ted Cruz.

“He has consistently ducked engagements where voters will see him take on other Republicans,” said James Bernsen, comunications director for the Ted Cruz campaign.

Cruz’s staff pointed to over 15 debate forums that Dewhurst refused to attend and continue to criticize the lieutenant governor for his wavering stance on a number of issues including immigration and the Texas Rainy Day Fund.

“Voters across Texas are eager to see Lt. Gov. Dewhurst participate in a serious Lincoln-Douglas debate,” Cruz said in a press release. “In the meantime – until he’s willing to face Texas voters – they’ll have to imagine his own debates with himself.”

Dewhurst’s campaign did not immidiately answer requests for comment, but a visit to the lieutenant governor’s blog reveals what opponents call a lack of content regarding the Texas Senate race. Although there is one short on Dewhurst attending a U.S. Senate forum in Sugarland on Oct. 24, videos of the Obama administration dominate the lieutenant governor’s campaign site and blog.

“If you thanked the president for the stimulus funds or killed the TSA bill at the president’s request, it’s kind of silly to argue that you would be the ideal candidate to lead the fight against Obama’s agenda,” Bernsen said. “David Dewhurst has already had a chance to take on the Obama agenda, and he voted present.”